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US working to defuse India-Pak tension: Bush

United States President George W Bush on Friday said his administration was actively trying to usher calm in the Indian sub-continent by asking India and Pakistan to stop escalation of tension while praising Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf for cracking down on terrorists.

Bush told mediapersons at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, that Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to Indian and Pakistani leaders on Friday and "We are urging restraint and calm."

"My government is working actively to bring some calm in the region and hopefully to convince both sides to stop escalation of force," he said.

Bush said one of the issues discussed in the national security conference on Friday and with his national security team on Thursday was the India and Pakistan issue.

He praised Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf for acting against extremists and expressed the hope that India takes note of it.

"I am pleased to note that Musharraf has announced arrest of 50 extremists and hope India takes note of it. The president is responding forcefully and actively to bring those who harm others to justice," Bush said.

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